Tonight, a second-time-around performance from Grammy winner Wyclef Jean, guaranteed to get the crowd moving! (See Wyclef talk about his upcoming performance tonight–and tell you why you need two pairs of shoes and a change of clothes when you come to one of his shows. Yes, the energy is like that!)

The 18th Annual Black Enterprise/Pepsi Golf & Tennis Challenge begins (Image: Doral Golf Resort & Spa)

Not only is it the first of the month but the first day of the 18th annual Black Enterprise/Pepsi Golf & Tennis Challenge. The luxurious five-day weekend excursion began Thursday at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami, Florida. The Labor Day weekend event has attracted a variety of individuals, from well-known tastemakers and business leaders to entertainers and the who’s who in today’s social scene.

The day kicked off with registration, where attendees got acclimated with their full agenda.  In between golf and tennis clinics (as well as spa sessions), participants had the opportunity to catch a screening of From the Rough, hosted by Gyre Entertainment, featuring award-winning actress Taraji P. Henson. The evening capped off with the Mardis Gras-themed welcome reception featuring four-time Grammy-nominated R&B artist Ledisi.

Check back in tomorrow to see what’s going down in Miami. Expect exclusive photos and videos from the event, including performances by Grammy-award winning singer Ne-Yo and former Fugees frontman Wyclef Jean.

Black Enterprise CEO Earl Graves Jr., and Ne-Yo

Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician Ne-Yo announced in January that he will perform at this year’s Black Enterprise’s Golf & Tennis Challenge, September 1-5, 2011. At a packed soiree hosted by BLACK ENTERPRISE CEO Earl Graves Jr. and Ne-Yo at Millesime in New York City, Tai Beauchamp, host of our video series The High Life, interviewed the pair about the upcoming Golf & Tennis Challenge and about partnering with BLACK ENTERPRISE to highlight his many new business ventures (including his label Compound Entertainment, his Compound Foundation, a hat line and a soon-to-be-announced liquor).

Wyclef

Renowned Grammy Award-winning musician, entertainer, and philanthropist Wyclef will be giving an exclusive performance to Golf & Tennis attendees this year. Having started out as a founding member of the hip-hop trio The Fugees, Wyclef’s music has crossed cultural, generational, and geographic boundaries. A 15-year veteran of the music industry, he has produced and collaborated with a wide variety of artists including Carlos Santana, Whitney Houston, and Bono of U2 fame, all while expanding his own repertoire and cultivating his boundless creativity.

When he isn’t in the studio making his mark on the charts, he’s making his mark in the world as a social activist and philanthropist. Wyclef founded Yéle Haiti in 2005, a nonprofit foundation that initiates and supports programs relating to hunger, education, and other rehabilitative services in his native country.

Soulful chanteuse Chrisette Michele will also be in the building this Labor Day weekend. With two releases in heavy rotation at the time of this article—“Epiphany” and “Blame it On Me”—this two-time Grammy-nominated songstress has two albums under her belt. Chrisette first grabbed our attention as a solo artist with her debut album I Am, which featured the romantic ballads “If I Have My Way” and “Love is You,” and the mid-tempo “Be OK,” about recovering from a lost love. I AM went gold, and along with her Grammys, Chrisette was nominated for a BET Award for Best New Artist.

Chrisette upped the creative ante on her current album, Epiphany, working with talented producers Ne-Yo and Rodney Jerkins among others. Signed to Def Jam just two years ago when she personally auditioned for Def Jam Chairman Antonio “L.A.” Reid (he said he got goose bumps the first time he heard her sing), Chrisette loves to perform in front of live audiences and has toured with Musiq, Raheem DeVaughn, and Solange Knowles. She’s also part of a major ad campaign by Nivea Crème Skin Company and has appeared on television sitcoms.

Joe

The son of two preachers, Joe grew up in Georgia and Alabama playing and singing gospel music. After high school, he eventually moved to New Jersey and met producer Vincent Herbert. He was signed to his first label, Polygram/Mercury, and released his first album, Everything, in 1993. After more than a decade with Jive Records, Joe is now with 563 Entertainment/Kedar Entertainment Group where he’s a label partner and executive as well as an artist.

He first came on the scene in 1986 with a self-titled debut and followed up with an album in 1988. He rose to fame with 1997′s Long Time No See, and released two more albums; in 1999 and 2003. Now, after a five-year hiatus, the unforgettable Chico DeBarge is back with a new CD, Addiction, also on the Kedar Entertainment label. His first single, “Oh no,” gives the listener some of the same smooth, laid back R&B many have come to know and appreciate him for.

Chico DeBarge

And did we mention that DJ Biz Markie will be on the turntables Saturday night? A veteran of the hip-hop generation, Biz Markie had hits in the late 80s/early 90s with “Make the Music with Your Mouth Biz,” “Just a Friend,” and “Vapors.” He even had a dance named after himself—The Biz Mark. One of the early beat box artists, Biz has established himself as an artist as well as an accomplished DJ with a reported record collection that numbers into the tens of thousands.

Biz Markie